Game.



B. F. HOFFMAN.

GAME.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11. 1915.

Patented May 2, 1916.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (10., WASHINGTON, n. c.

- BENJAMIN F. HOFFMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ear/inf Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2, 1916.

Application filed August 11, 1915. Serial No. 44,849.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. Horr- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Games, of which the following is a speclfication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to improvements 1n toys or games, and more particularly has reference to a miniature form of bowling alley adapted to be played upon the table.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 illustrates in plan view, partly broken away, an application of my lnvention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 22 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 illustrates the usual form of bowling pin on a reduced scale.

5 indicates the bed or base of the game, and 6 the framing of the same which projects above the bed as shown. 7 indicates the pit preferably formed thereln as shown and which communicates with the return channels or ducts 88 which are graded as indicated by the dotted line 8 so that the ball or marble 9 when it reaches the pit 7 will return by gravity to the operating end of the game or board.

10, 11 and 12 indicate three channels or grooves through which the ball 9 is shot or discharged at the pins such as 13, the channel or groove 10 being intended to produce the effect of a left hook upon the ball, the channel or groove 12 being intended to pro duce the effect of a right hook upon the ball, and the direct channel 11 being intended to produce the effect of a straight ball.

14 is a suitable box containing a plunger 14 secured on the inside to the spindle 15 provided with the knob 16, 17 being a coiled spring upon said spindle which when the knob 16 is drawn leftwardly as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2, is compressed so that upon releasing the knob 16, the plunger or spindle 15 with its face or front portion 14 flies forward or rightward driving the ball 9 rightwardly.

18 is a rib or strip upon the under face of the top 14 of the box which serves as a guide for the front portion 14 of the plunger. This plunger it will be observed is behind the openings 19 to .21 inclusive through any of which the ball 9 may be dropped so as to rest in either of the channels 10 and 12 inclusive. The front 22 of the box 14 is preferably cut away as indicated at 22 to 24 inclusive so as to allow the ball to pass freely therethrough. The pins are placed in the usual position shown in Fig. 1.

From the foregoing it will be understood that if the player desires to play a direct ball he drops the ball or marble 9 through the opening 20 so that it rests at the base of the channel 11 and upon drawing back the knob 16 and releasing the same, the same is driven along said channel striking the head pin after which it is free to return from the pit 7 by either the chute 8 or 8 to the players end of the board. If the player desires to try a left hook the ball or marble'is dropped through the hole 21 landing in the chute'or channel 10 from which it is driven by the plunger in the usual manner, striking the left side of the pins and returning as aforesaid. To try a right hook the ball or marble is dropped into the hole or opening 19 thereby traversing the right hook channel 12 and returning as aforesaid. In this way the player is free to elect the form of drive he prefers and acquires skill in either or all of the methods as his tastes or qualifications allow.

Of course it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed,

1 claim:

1. A game comprising a body portion provided with guides leading in diflerent directions through which a ball may be discharged, pins at one end of said game in the path of said ball, and return channels around the outer edge of said board.

2. A game comprising a body portion provided With guides through which a ball may In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my be dlscharged, pins at one end of said game signature in the presence of two Witnesses. in the path of said ball, each of said guides T A being adapted to direct said ball differently, BEL JAMIN HOFFMAN' '6 two of said guides providing a right and Witnesses:

left drive for said ball and one of said LOUISE ENDERLE,

guides providing a direct path for said ball. THOMAS A. HILL.

Copies 01 this patent may be obtained tor five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

